'Shameless' Bringing Back Fiona's Love Interest in Season 9

Richard Flood and Emmy Rossum in season eight of Showtime's 'Shameless'

Richard Flood, who recurred as Ford, will be a series regular when the Showtime dramedy returns in September.

Showtime's Shameless is poised to further explore Ford, a mysterious new character.

Actor Richard Flood has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming ninth season of the Emmy Rossum starrer.

Flood first appeared in season eight as Ford, the handyman turned love interest for Rossum's Fiona.

Thus far, little is known about Ford. He's an Irish carpenter and craftsman and a popular sperm donor for multiple lesbian couples — and Fiona's reluctant boyfriend.

In season nine of Shameless, the Gallaghers take justice into their own hands amid a renewed political fervor on Chicago's South Side. Fiona tries to build on her success with her apartment building and takes an expensive gamble, hoping to catapult herself into the upper echelon.